my own ignorant tire question

[playmesomeblues]

Hi Everybody,
After reading all of your posts about the wisdom of winter tires and steelies, I'm sure I want to do that. But will 15" wheels and Michellin Artic Alpins throw-off my speedometer? Has anyone calculated this out?

Thanks,

Dave
(wishin' for more warm weather in MN!)

 

[azian6er]

what size are the tires?

 

[KYMP5]

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

 

[playmesomeblues]

The michelins are 195/55QR15 vs. the Bridgestone 215/45ZR17.

 

[girth]

Those tires would be considerably smaller than the stock ones so it would throw your speedo off.

I'd say 195/70/15 should be pretty close to stock size. I got 16s for my MSP and got 205/55/16.

 

[azian6er]

you should pm mazdamp3_18

he works at discount tire and would know the answer.

_B

 

[playmesomeblues]

Thanks everybody!

David

 

[Swerny]

Those tires would be considerably smaller than the stock ones so it would throw your speedo off.

I'd say 195/70/15 should be pretty close to stock size. I got 16s for my MSP and got 205/55/16.

I have to disagree. The dealers and the Tire Rack calculator state 195-55-15 for the winters. 195-60-15 would probably work too.
I am running 195-55-15 Pilot Alpins. It's the same size as the stock tires on the Protege LX, so no clearance issues etc.

 

[girth]

I have to disagree. The dealers and the Tire Rack calculator state 195-55-15 for the winters. 195-60-15 would probably work too.
I am running 195-55-15 Pilot Alpins. It's the same size as the stock tires on the Protege LX, so no clearance issues etc.

I guarantee your speedo is off then when compared to the stock tires. There's is NO WAY that a 195-55-15 is the same diameter as a 215-45-17. No way.

My 205-55-16s are essentially identical diameter as the stock MSP tires. Tire-Rack's calculator is wrong. The main reason they suggest 195 is because narrower is better for snow - and they probably suggested only 55 for sidewall because that's the size they had the most of. A 195-55-15 is too small, plain and simple.

 

[girth]

I have to disagree. The dealers and the Tire Rack calculator state 195-55-15 for the winters. 195-60-15 would probably work too.
I am running 195-55-15 Pilot Alpins. It's the same size as the stock tires on the Protege LX, so no clearance issues etc.

Looks to me like Tire-Rack suggests a 195-60-15 for the MSP (which still would be too small IMO).(shrug)
http://www.tirerack.com/snow/SnowWheelSearchResults.jsp?sortSize=15&snowSortCode=19434&show=threeWheels&autoYear=2003&autoMake=Mazda&autoModel=MazdaSpeed%20Protege&autoModClar=

 

[playmesomeblues]

Hey you're right. And the auto shop I used came up with the same suggestion. It looks a little small, but it's close.

But thanks to all of you. I'm SO glad I found this forum! Of course, now I also know all the stuff I need for my MSP....

David